Valve mechanism.



A. J. RICHMOND.

VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1898.

993,621. Patenfied May 30, 1911.

' free and,

ating provide an {unobstructed drain UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

"ART HUB J. RICHMOND, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL HIRE I EXTINGUISHER (10., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VALVE MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed m 15, 1'8. Serial No. 599,230.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it .known that I, AR'ruUnJ. Ricummn, residing in Boston, inthe county of Suilolk and, State of: Massachusetts, have invented 5 contain -new-and useful Im rovements in ing 'so constructed thatupon the reduction of the pressure in the system below a predetermined point the fluid 1n the supply plpe iyrilljbe antomaticallyreleased and wi l flow 20 intc'gfsaidv system.

Itdi the object of the invention to pro vide a valve mechanism of the class referred to in .which there shall be upon the release offthe high gressurefluid'a substantially uno structed passage from said sup'ply pipe to the-system ofthe full capacity .01. supply pipe'so that the flowof thefiui .to the system shallnot be retarded.

' -A ,jfurther object of the invention is to so 80 connect the valve mechanism with the systemifof piping thatsaid mechanism cannot be rendered inoperativeby the formation of a water, column ,insaid system.

a A: further obiectof the invention is to so SIS const'r'uctthe mechanism that the resistance against which the high pressure fluid acts shalldccre ase as the main valve opens. A further-object offthe invention is to proyide'fa-valve mechanism in which theoperparts shall be entirely. inclosed so that al liabilitytoderan ement from external causesor. 010 'ng.-. rom' accumulation of dust on dirt wil "eprevented' 1 It; 'is' a further object of'thefinvention to y or any fluid which ma ,leak frornthe sup ly pipe, which drain wil I be automaticall c o'sed when. the higher pressnrefluid is ahead.

described and claimed. I

Va'lyes of the classabove referred to are especially uuseful in connection :with automaticysprlnlrlersystems known as dry pipe the supply illustrated embodied in a valve mechanism applied to such a system.

The valve mechanism illustrated as embodying the present improvements in their preferred forms consists ofia casing in which is formed a chamber provided with an inlet forconnnunication with the water suppl pipe and an outlet for coinnnuiicatin witi the riser of the sprinkler system, sai

pipeand beinglocatcd substantially in with each. other. The inlet and; outlet are rovided with valves. which are held closed:

y the air pressure in the sprinklersystem and are released when the ressure in said system is reduced, and w en so releasedmove to one side of the path of thewater thus leaving an unobstructed passage from thesu ply pipe to the sprinkler system.

The in ct valve is held ,to its seat against the \vateqpressure by means of a toggle which,

is held in osition b ,a device, prcferab'l a v'alvle, ac ledlon b y sprinkler system" T e valve is located in a chamber fromwhich apipe' is preferably led to the top of the riser of the sprinkler system'so that the valve mechanism cannot be rendered inoperative by the formation of a water column in the riser. The chamber in which the main water valve is located is provided with an opening which communicates with the atmosphere when said valve is closed, but which is closed by a valveformed on the back of said main valve whe said main valve is open.

Referring to tlre drawings, Fi ure 1 is'an elevation showing the valve mec anism.applied to a sprinkler system and Fig.2 is a Patented Ma eo, 119111 systems, in which a light air. ressu're .in t m system is made to hold back t e water in ipc, and in the accompanying drawings t e present improvements are inlet; and outlet being of the size of the supply me the pressure in the,

vertical 'sectional view of the valve mechanism.

the casting 2 is' provided with an inlet 3 and an outlet 4. The inlet is connected with the y supply'pipe 6 by means of the flange 5" these ends, the invention consists in" 60 the'features and combinations hereinafter formed on the casting 2, and.the outlet t communicates with the. riser 7 of. the sprinkler system through an elbow 8 secured to the casting 2 and said riser. The water in the supply pipe 6 is held back by a valve 9 which is held against the valve seat 10 by the ac- The chamber, 1 formed by the walls 5r D bucket valve 9 fits within a recess in an arm 12 pivoted at 13 in the casting 2. A stud 14 projects from the boss 11 through the arm 12 and a nut 15 on said stud serves to-hold the valve to the arm while allowing the hos to move freely in the recess so that the valve 9 may firmly seat itself.

Secured to the top of the castin 2 and communicating therewith through t e opening 16 is a castin 17 forming-the chamber 18 which is provided with. a valve seat 19 upon which is seated a valve 20. The valve 20 is held to its seat by the pressure of the air in the sprinkler s stem with whlch the chamber is con'necte through a pipe 21 leading from the to of the riser 7 to the chamber 18. The va vs 20 'is provided with ribs 22 which fit within a conical recess formed in a ring 23 and serve to center the valve. The rin 23 is supported by the arms 24 which exten from a ring 25 screwed into the casting 17. An arm or rod 26 depends from valve 20 and serves to prevent the breaking of the toggle 27 interposed between' the end of arm 12 and an abutment 28 on the wall of the casting 2. By reason of the leverage exerted through the toggle 27 a li ht air pressure in t e sprinkler system Wlll hold the valve 9 firmly to its seat against the high pressure of the water in the By varying the angle of the sup ly ipe arm oi the to gle to the line of thrust exerted thereon y the valve, the pressure in the sprinkler system necessary to overcome the pressure in the supply pipe may be .varied. With the arms-of the toggle at about an angle of 7 to the line of thrust as shown, one pound pressure on the valve 20 will overcome substantially nine pounds pressure on valve 9. It is preferred to form the toggle 27 by pivotin the arms 29 and 30 to the end of arm 261m to make one of said arms adjustable. As shown, the arms 30 is formed of two parts provided with ri ht and left hand threads respectively an said parts are adjusted toward or away from each other by turning. the nut 31 which engages said threads.

The chamber 1 is provided with an o ning 32- which connects with the atmosp ere through a ipe 33 and forms a drain for any water whic may leak past the valve 9. The inner end of the openlng 32 is conical and forms a seat for the conical-end of nut 15 when valve 9 is open. A valve 34 is carried byan arm 35 pivoted at 36 and'said valve is held against the valve seat 37 secured in the outlet by the air pressure in the sprinkler system. p

The operation is as follows :The parts I stand normally in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the va ve 9 held firmly in position b the action ofthe pressure in the sprink er system acting throughthe valve 20 and the toggle '27, the valve 34 being alsoheld closed by the light air prre, and the chamber 1 being open to theatmosphere side of the path; of the water as shown in;

dotted lines, and the conical end of nut 15 enters the opening 32 and closes the same. The action of the water also opens the valve 34 which in o ning also moves to one side of the path 0 the water so that there is a free an unobstructed passage from the suppl ylpipe to the riser of the s rinkler system. 7

en it' is desired to reset t e valves 9 and 34, the plug 36 is removed from the hand 'hole in the side of casting 2 and the plug 37 from the hand hole in the top of casting 17, so that ready access to the parts may be had. A pipe 40 is provided near the base of the riser through w ich any water which may col lect in the riser may be drawn oil, and a test cock 41 may be inserted in pipe 21. 7

It will be noted that since the pipe 21 which connects the chamber with the sprinkler system leads from the. riser near or at its top, the formation of a water column in the ri ill not preventor interfere in any waywith the opening of the valve 9 when the air pressure in the system is reduced. It will be further noted that all the operatmg parts are inclosed in the castings 2 and 17 and are thus protected from any ac'cidental displacement, and will not become clogged b the accumulation of dust or dirt.

What claim as mv invention and desire to obtainby Letters-Patent is:

1. The combination of a. chamber, an inlet for communicationwith a high pressure supply, an outlet for communication with a low ressure system, a valve for said outlet, a va ve for said inlet, said valves being in line with each other and when open being arranged at one side .otthe passage from the supply to the o .1, and means at one side of 881d r closed by'the pressure in the system, substantially'as described. 2. The combination of a chamber, an inlet for communimtion with a high pressure supply, an outlet for communication with a ow prexure. stem, a valve pivoted at one side of said in et, a valve pivoted at one side of said outlet, said valves being in line with each other, and means at oneside of the passage from said inlet to said outlet for I for holding the inlet valve 1 chamber, a valve between the inlet valve closed by the pres holding 1pressure system, substan- 4. The combination of a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet, valves for closing said inlet and outlet, a toggle for holding said inlet valve to its seat having its arms at angles to the line of the thrust exerted thereon by the valve, an aux liary said-chambers, a connection for transmitting the pressure on said valve to said toggle and through it to said inlet valve, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a chamber rovided with an inlet and an outlet, valves for closing said inlet and outlet, a toggle-tor holding said inlet valve to its seat having its arms at angles to the line of the thrust exerted thereon by said valve an auxiliary chamber, a valve thercin'held to its-seat by the pressure in said chamber, a connection for transmitting the pressure of said valve to said toggle and through it to said inlet valve. substantially as described.

6. The combination of a chamber, an inlet for communication with a high pressure supply, an outlet for communication with a ow pressure system and In line with said inlet, a valve pivoted below said inlet, a valve ivoted below said outlet, and means out o holding the inlet valve closed by the pres sure in said system, substantially as describcd. v

7. Adevice of the class specified, having a straight water-way and also having a ressure chamber arranged at one side 0 the water-way in combination with a valve controlling the inlet to the water-way, a valve controlling a port opening into the pressure chamber and the water-way, and means for actuating said yali'cs,substantially asdecribed.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with acasing having a water way including a low prcssilrc chamber having an inlet opening thcrcinto and an outlet opening therefrom, of a cut-off for controlling said inlct, a cut-off for controlling said outlet, a toggle engaging the inlet cutoff at one end and at its other end engaging the casing, said toggle consisting of two members opcratively related to cach'othcr, a pressure chamber at t! e side of the low pressure chamber having commhnication with the system, a cutoff for controlling communication between the chamber last aforesaid and the low pressure chamber, and

pressure chamber and line with said inlet and outlet for.

means inter osed between said cut-0t? and the to le ibr controlling the latter, substantia l y as described.

9. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a casing having a low pressure chamber, an inlet opening theremto, and outlet 0 ening therefrom, of a cut-oil for control mg said inlet, a toggle for holding said cut-ofi' seated, a pressure chamber communicating with said low pressure chamber latcrally and also with the system, a second cut-ofi' for controlling communication between said chambers, and means interposed between saidsecond cutoff. and toggle for holding the latter in place, substantially as described.

10. A device of the class described having a substantially straight water-way and hav-' ,mg also a pressure chamber arranged at one SI 0 .of thewatcr-way and a low pressure chamberwith which said-pressure chamber communicates, of a .val

ve controlling communicaiion between said pressure chamber" and low pressure chamber, trolling commun cation between the'watcr supply and thefllow pressure chamber, a

'valve for controlling communicationbcsystem and the low tween the distributing means controlled by the/valve first aforesaid for controlling the valve from the. water supply into the low substantially as described. I

pressure chamber,

In a device of the class described the combination of a casing having a low pressure, chamber. a chamber communicating with the distributing system, a check valve a valve for con for controlling communication between said chambers, a valve to the low pressure chamber, chamber disposed at the side pressure chamber and havingmunication with the system, a cut-otl',for controlling connnunication between the chamber last aforesaid and the low pressure chamber, a tog 'lc..at one end engaging the inlet valve and at the other end engaging a fixed abutment, and means-interposed be tween the holding the described.

12. In adevice of the class described, the combination of a casing having a water way,

a pressure of the low latter in place, substantially as a valve for controlling the inlet to .the water the outlet from way, a valve for controlling said water way to the system, a pressure chamber comnnmicating directly with the waterway and also with the system, a togfirst aforesaid, and a gle engaging the valve stem carried byv the valve last aforesaidand engaging the toggle, said valves being differential, substantially as described.

13. In a device of combination of a casing having a water way, a valve for controlling the-inlet to the water way, a valve for controlling the outlet from for controlling the inlet the class described, the

normal comsaid cut-oil and the toggle for also with the a valve contno communication the two chambers, d inte nn the valve first and valve last afoid for hol i the val e first aforesaid seated, subtiay w bed.

9 14. In a device of the class descri, the combination of a casing having a water way, avalve torcontrolling the inlet to the water tag, a valve for controllingtheoutlet from sea water way --to the synein, a pressure chamber located at one side-of the water way and communicating therewith and also wrththesystem, a valve for controlling com mun cation between the two chambers, said valves being difierential, and means interposed between the valve first aforesaid and the valve last aforesaid'for holdin the valve aforesaid seated, substantia ly as dc- 15. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination of a, casing having a low pressure'cha nber, a valve for controlling the admission of water thereto, a valve for controlling the outlet from said water way to the system a pressure chamber located'at the side otthe low pressure chamber and communicating therewith and with the distributingpipes of the system, a valve for controlling communication between the chambers, said valves being differential, and means interposed between the valve first aforesaid and the valve last aforesaid for holdin the valve first aforesaid seated, substantia ]y as described.

16. The combination of a casing having a 9 water inlet and a water outlet, a valve governing said inlet, a valve governing said outlet,'a toggle comprising two members, one bearing against the casing and the other against the valve first aforesaid, one of said members being adjustable in length, and means independent of the outlet valve and under the control of the pressurein the svstern for actuating said toggle, substantially as described. a so 17. Automatic valve mechanism for sprinkler systems comprising a valve casing having communication with a water supply and with the sprinkler system, an inlet valve within the casing for governing said supconnected to the togg e, an e commtion so the system and adapted when the. t tag e members are in alinement to hold said i r at valve closed and an air trip valve indlelpcndent of the aioresaid valves and contra ed by the pressure of the and o rativ'ely' .1 i is. y as described. 18. The combination of a 1*:- w: having a water inlet and a water outlet,:a valvego eming said inlet a valve governing said on let, a to la independent of the valve an aforesai and comprising two members, one of said members bearing against the and the other against the valve first aforesaid, and means. under thecon rol of the pressure of the system for actuating the tog gle, substantial] as described.

19. A valve or a sprinkler system com- 76 prising acasin having a water inlet and a water outlet su stantially in line with each other, valves for closing said inlet and outlet respectively, said valves being arranged to swing out of the water-way when open, and mechanism acted upon b the air-pressure in the system for hol mg said mlet I valve closed, said valve-holding mechanism being also out of the water-way when the valves are open and so. as to leave an unobstructed passage for the water through said casing. substantially as described.

20. A valve for a sprinkler system comprising. a casing having ports communicatmg respectively with the water supply and 00 the sprmkler system, said ports being sub stantially in line with each other, valves arranged to close said ports, the one for th s rinkler system port being normall c osed by the pressure in the distributing ea pipes, and mechanism acted upon by the airpressure in the s rinkler system and an ranged to hold said inlet valve in its closed position until the air-pressure is relieved. said valves and mechanism assuming when the ports are open a position out of line with said ports to form an oflnobstructed passage between them, substantially as described.

ARTHUR J. RICOND. Witnesses:

R. A. Bares, Ina L. Fran.

goo 

